China confirms another imported Zika case

An aedes aegypti mosquitoes that carries the Zika virus is seen at a laboratory of the National Center for the Control of Tropical Diseases (CENCET) in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on February 10, 2016. [Photo/IC]

BEIJING -- China confirmed a third imported Zika case involving a 38-year-old man Friday, nine days after the first, according to the National Health and Family Planning Commission.

The patient developed a fever when he returned to the city of Yiwu in East China's Zhejiang province on Feb 15 from Fiji and Samoa. According to the patient, he was bitten by mosquitos.

Already quarantined, he was confirmed as infected by the Zika virus on Friday. His temperature is now normal and his condition has improved, the commission said.

Symptoms of the Zika virus, which spreads to people through mosquito bites, include fever, joint pain, a rash, conjunctivitis, headache and muscle pain.

Disease prevention experts said the risk of the spread of the virus from this case is low due to the current low temperature which inhibits mosquito activity.

China's first Zika patient was discharged from hospital on Sunday after a full recovery. The second case, also imported, was detected in southern province of Guangdong on Feb 15.